2014 Los Angeles Auto Show kicks off. What to expect.

The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, now in its 107th year, boasts a list of world and North American premieres that is one of the biggest on record. The action at the Los Angeles Auto Show gets underway Nov. 18.

Jae C. Hong/AP/File

A woman stands next to the 2014 Porsche 911 50th anniversary edition at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show will feature more than 30 confirmed world premieres and more than double that for North American firsts, and there will probably be a few surprises on top of that.

Now in its 107th year, the Los Angeles Auto Show is showing no signs of age as the list of world and North American premieres set to take place during the upcoming event is one of the biggest on record. Organizers have confirmed more than 30 world premieres and more than double this for North American firsts, and we bet there will be a few surprises on top of that.

As usual, the Motor Authority team will be bringing you all the latest info and live photos direct from the show floor once the action gets underway on November 18. In the meantime, here's our hand-picked list of some of the stars, as well as what we know so far about them.
And don't forget to bookmark our dedicated Los Angeles Auto Show page, as well as follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay on top of it all.

CONCEPT CARS

Audi Design Concept: Audi has a new design boss, and he’s set to preview the new look he’s planning for future Audis with a grand four-door coupe concept debuting in L.A. Audi hasn’t revealed a name for the concept just yet but based on the initial teasers we say it deserves to be called an A9. Three key vehicles have influenced the design of the concept: the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989 as well as the original A8 and TT. Describing the look, Audi’s design boss said the focus has been on sportiness and emotion.

Mercedes-Benz G-Code Concept: The funky G-Code isn’t destined for production but it demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz could build a crossover smaller than its current GLA-Class that still maintains the design values and quality of some of the automaker’s larger models. In addition to looking cool, the G-Code also packs some pretty advanced tech including paint that can generate electricity from sunlight and the wind. If built, we could see a Mercedes vehicle like the G-Code doing quite well against the MINI Cooper Countryman and Audi’s upcoming Q1.

Lexus LF-C2 Concept: Lexus is bringing a new convertible concept to the L.A.Auto Show, and we suspect it could preview a new open-top version of the latest RC coupe. All we have is a teaser right now but the lines virtually confirm the concept’s connection to the RC. If built, the RC convertible will likely shareengines with the RC coupe, which in the U.S. would mean V-6 power in the standard model and V-8 power in an RC F variant, if the latter is given the go-ahead for production. We sure hope it's built as the RC F is plenty of fun.

Fisker And Galpin Auto Sports Rocket Concept: Automotive designer Henrik Fisker appears to be back doing what he does best: penning awesome-looking cars. In his first project since leaving the electric car startup that still bears his name, the Dutch designer has teamed up with the guys at Galpin Auto Sports and created what appears to be a re-skinned 2015 Ford Mustang. It’s called the Rocket and it’s described as the “ultimate American muscle car.” We’ll find out next week how fitting that description is.

PERFORMANCE CARS

2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS: The L.A. Auto Show is an important one for Porsche as the brand sells more cars in the state of California than anywhere else on the globe. One of three premieres Porsche will be making next week is the 2015 911 Carrera GTS, which is offered as either a coupe or convertible and with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Carrera GTS is aimed at buyers seeking something sportier than the regular Carrera and Carrera S models but aren’t quite ready to hop into the hardcore GT3 or Turbo.

New Ford Performance Vehicle: Ford plans to unveil a new performance carnext week and a series of teaser videos already released by the automaker suggests the car could be the long-awaited Mustang GT350 built by the SVT performance division. The new Mustang GT350 is expected to feature a naturally-aspirated V-8 engine displacing 5.2-liters and featuring a flat-plane crank. This isn’t a replacement for the previous Shelby GT500; the Mustang GT350 will be the track-focused version of the new Mustang, meaning it will target Chevrolet’s Camaro Z/28.

2016 Cadillac ATS-V: Cadillac will reveal its all-new ATS-V in L.A., in bothsedan and coupe bodystyles. The performance duo will pack a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 and come with 450 horsepower on tap. Spy shots reveal the aggressive look of the cars and inside we expect this same aggressive performance theme to be continued. Given the pricing of its competition, we expect the ATS-V sedan to be priced close to $60k and the ATS-V Coupe to start several grand above that figure.

2016 Jaguar F-Type Coupe All Wheel Drive: Jaguar’s stunning F-Type is already available in a number of variants but the expansion of the sports car range is far from complete. Additional variants will include some new all-wheel-drive variants, one of which, the 2016 F-Type Coupe R All Wheel Drive, has already been revealed. More should be revealed at the L.A. Auto Show where Jaguar plans to reveal 14 separate F-Type variants.

2015 BMW X5 M And X6 M: The second-generation of BMW’s X5 M and X6 M performance SUVs have been revealed ahead of their debut in L.A. next week. Their engine is a version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 found in several other M cars, rated here at 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, or about 12 hp and 53 lb-ft of torque more than the outgoing models produced. This helps the vehiclesaccelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat (with launch control activated). Like most BMWs, top speed is limited to 155 mph.

Audi R8 Competition: Audi is bringing its fastest and most powerful R8 ever built to L.A. It’s called the R8 Competition and just 60 examples are earmarked for the U.S. The car features the same engine found in the R8 LMS ultra race car, a 5.2-liter V-10 delivering 570 horsepower, and will accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and keep going until it maxes out at 199 mph. In addition to its more potent engine, the car gets a few visual tweaks and some unique content in the cabin.

LUXURY CARS

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: Maybach is back, only this time around it’s not a standalone brand but an ultra-luxurious, ultra-exclusive sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz. The sub-brand is known as Mercedes-Maybach and its first model is a stretched version of the S-Class that is debuting next week in L.A. In addition to this unique bodystyle, Mercedes-Maybach customers will also have more personalization options to choose from, such as unique seats, additional comfort and convenience features, and ultra-luxurious trim elements. Mercedes is keen to stress that Mercedes-Maybach is not an equipment line, but a sub-brand that in future will deliver additional models.

2015 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive Exclusive Series: Porsche has revealed a special edition Panamera that it plans to introduce at the L.A. AutoShow. The special edition is available only in range-topping Panamera Turbo S Executive trim and is targeted at high-flying businessmen that typically have a chauffeur among their staff. The Executive Panameras are slightly longer than the standard models and come with a pair of bucket seats in the rear plus plenty of available extras to keep those in the back happy.

2016 Audi A6 And A7: Audi’s A6 and A7 have been updated for the 2016 model year and will be debuting in U.S.-trim at next week’s 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The changes include new styling, increased power and more tech features. The big news is that the S6 and S7 variants see output from their twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8s increased to 450 horsepower, a 30 hp again on the outgoing versions. Sadly, U.S. buyers still miss out on the RS 6 offered overseas but the RS 7 remains in the lineup. It also features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 but its output is 560 hp.

2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country: Volvo has revealed its all-new V60 Cross Country ahead of the vehicle’s debut next week in L.A. It’s similar in concept to the Subaru Outback and Audi A4 Allroad in that it offers buyers the option of going off-road without them having to resort to a more conventional SUV. Only one engine option is offered, a turbocharged 2.5-liter mill good for 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.

2015 Porsche Cayenne: We’ve already seen the 2015 Porsche Cayenne but some important models from the lineup were missing. This issue will be remedied in L.A. where Porsche will introduce the base Cayenne as well as the sporty GTS. With the arrival of the base model, the 2015 Cayenne lineup will start at $59,295 with shipping. The base model sticks with a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 300 horsepower. The GTS features a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 with 440 hp on tap.

2016 Acura ILX: Acura had high hopes for its newest gateway vehicle, the ILX compact sedan, which was introduced at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The idea behind its creation seemed logical enough: by basing an Acura model on theHonda Civic, the automaker could lower the price of entry and attract a younger, hipper audience to the brand. Unfortunately, it hasn’t sold well, so Acura is introducing some updates for the 2016 model year. Those updates will include new styling, a new powertrain and a substantially upgraded interior.

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